Until July 1973, the military operated under an involuntary draft policy to produce manpower to fight the countryís wars. Draftees served during both world wars, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the All-Volunteer Force. Senior leaders say ending the draft and relying on volunteers has made the military the strongest it's ever been. Story

The Stories

With competitive salaries, a top-notch retirement package, and now the option to share education benefits with family members, a career in the U.S. military has become far more attractive since the days of the draft. Story

The U.S. militaryís insistence on quality has visibly paid off through servicemembersí superb performance during the war on global terrorism, a senior U.S. defense official told members of a House panel here yesterday. Story

The all-volunteer force has made the nationís defense the strongest itís ever been, the U.S. militaryís top officer said this week, adding that he would not want to return to a Vietnam-era military by implementing a draft. Story

Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani reflected on his 37-year Navy career during his retirement ceremony in July 2007. He recalled the angst that surrounded one of the most sweeping changes of his career: the advent of the all-volunteer force in the early 1970s. More

Upon his retirement as the senior enlisted advisor at U.S. Central Command in April 2007, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Curtis Brownhill said he began his 34-year military career right at the dawn of the all-volunteer force. More

During a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, in May of this year, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates honored military service yesterday as 105 soldiers enlisted, re-enlisted and retired.

"Today's ceremony captures the spirit of America's all-volunteer Army, as some individuals leave our military family while others step forward to fill the ranks," Gates told the soldiers and soon-to-be-soldiers and their families gathered at the Fort Bliss Museum and Study Center.

"All of you heard the call to serve this nation, and like thousands of your fellow citizens, I am grateful for your service," he said.

Gates recognized the 28 retiring soldiers, noting their collective 499 years of service. "Today, we say farewell to a group of loyal and devoted soldiers," he said.

"Each of you is familiar with the hardships and sacrifices of wearing the uniform," he said, citing long deployments away from loved ones and difficult and dangerous missions many have faced. "Despite these challenges, you served with honor and distinction," he said, earning the "sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with defending this great country."

"You did your part well, and you have much to be proud of," he said.

The secretary then turned his attention to the 32 re-enlisting soldiers and 45 new recruits, thanking them for choosing to serve when their nation needs them. The decision reflects "true strength of character and love of country," he said.

Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani reflected on his 37-year Navy career during his retirement ceremony in July 2007. He recalled the angst that surrounded one of the most sweeping changes of his career: the advent of the all-volunteer force in the early 1970s.

Giambastiani was an enlisted program manager at the Navy Recruiting Command headquarters in the early days of the all-volunteer force, when many in the military were convinced the system would fail. Yet after the volunteer military established in 1973 until his retirement, he said it created a military second to none and a model other countries around the world seek to emulate.

"It is remarkable what that has done for the U.S. military and how professional our forces are today," he said. "The quality of the people and what we do today in this all-volunteer force is quite remarkable."

Upon his retirement as the senior enlisted advisor at U.S. Central Command in April 2007, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Curtis Brownhill said he began his 34-year military career right at the dawn of the all-volunteer force.

"When I enlisted, all these people were saying that (the military) was going to be a disaster, that the U.S. had to maintain a draft," he said. "In the 34 years since, we can point to the progress the military has made as a direct result of the all-volunteer force."

The U.S. personnel serving in Afghanistan and Iraq in were motivated and had high morale, he said. "Every servicemember over there is there because they want to be in the military and serve the nation," he said. "When the work is worthy and meaningful, people will stay the course and stay in the service.

Enlistment and retention bonuses, educational benefits and other incentives are invaluable recruiting tools, but Army officials say old-fashioned patriotism is just as big a motivator in attracting soldiers to the force and encouraging them to stay. Story